If you heard champagne popping around 11:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, it was likely the ’72 Dolphins celebrating a historic moment. The last unbeaten NFL team of 2025 finally took a loss. The Patriots stunned the Bills with a 23-20 victory on Sunday Night Football.
In just his second year, quarterback Drake Maye stepped up in a big way. He engineered his first game-winning drive, completing crucial passes that led to rookie kicker Andy Borregales’ 52-yard field goal with just 15 seconds left.
Maye had an impressive performance overall. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards, with only one incompletion in the second half. Much of this success came from targeting former Bills player Stefon Diggs, who caught 10 passes for 146 yards—his best showing since 2022.
Despite a shaky start, where Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled for the third time in three games, he managed to turn things around. He rushed for two touchdowns in the second half, helping the Patriots gain the upper hand.
The first half was a struggle for both teams. The Patriots scored two field goals while the Bills managed just one. Buffalo committed eight penalties and recorded two turnovers before halftime. However, they started correcting mistakes after the break. Quarterback Josh Allen threw his eighth touchdown of the season, giving the Bills a brief 10-6 lead.
The Patriots then struck back. Stevenson’s first TD put them ahead 13-10, but Allen threw an interception that left the Bills behind. The Patriots capitalized on this mistake, scoring another touchdown and extending their lead to 20-10.
The Bills didn’t give up, though. Allen connected with Keon Coleman for a 2-yard touchdown, making it a close game at 20-17. They fought to tie it up with a 45-yard field goal from Matt Prater. Unfortunately, they left too much time on the clock for Maye to work with.
In the end, Allen finished the game completing 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a lost fumble. He also led the team in rushing with 53 yards. James Cook added 49 yards on 15 carries.
With this win, the Patriots improved to 3-2 and will face the struggling 1-4 Saints next week. Meanwhile, the Bills, now 4-1, will have some time to reflect before playing the 2-2 Falcons next Monday night.
This game highlights the competitive nature of the NFL, where even a solid team like the Bills can be shaken by a determined opponent. As the season progresses, surprises like this keep fans on the edge of their seats.
For more details on the game and player statistics, check out ESPN.